Investigation of the effects of using probiotics in preventing diarrhea cases in neonatal calves

This study aims to determine the etiological factors (E. coli K99, Cryptosporidium, Rotavirus, Coronavirus, Giardia lamblia) causing diarrhea in newborn calves, which is a significant problem in cattle breeding in Ağrı province, using rapid diagnostic test kits, and to assess the effectiveness of oral probiotics in preventing calf diarrhea in the neonatal period. Cryptosporidium, Rotavirus, Coronavirus, Giardia lamblia) using rapid diagnostic test kits, and to investigate the effectiveness of oral probiotics in preventing neonatal diarrhea in newborn calves. The animal material for the study consisted of 50 calves born in the central district of Ağrı Province. The calves included in the study groups were first subjected to a general examination, and the findings were recorded in a clinical examination form. The calves were divided into two groups of 25 each: one group received probiotics, and the other did not. The calves included in the study were born to mothers that were raised under the same conditions in the same facility, had the same physical capabilities as the mothers, and were fed the same ration. Calves in the probiotic group were given colostrum after birth, and starting from the second day, probiotics were administered at a dose of 20 g (1 g containing 1x10¹⁰) mixed into their milk for 20 days. The group not receiving probiotics was only monitored. During this period, the calves were observed for the development of diarrhea. In calves that developed diarrhea, the causative agents Rotavirus, Coronavirus, E. coli F5 (K99), Cryptosporidium, and Giardia were diagnosed using a rapid test kit. Diarrhea occurred in 3 of the 25 calves in the probiotic group and 17 of the 25 calves in the non-probiotic group. In the statistical analyses, when the birth weight and live weight at the end of the 20th day were compared in calves given probiotics, it was observed that the increase in live weight in calves in the group given probiotics was higher than the increase in live weight in calves in the group not given probiotics. It was observed that administering probiotics to neonatal calves had positive effects in preventing the occurrence of diarrhea cases (88%). In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the use of probiotic microorganisms throughout the neonatal period in newborn calves has positive effects in preventing diarrhea cases caused by pathogenic microorganisms and in increasing average daily live weight gain.